Barnabas L. Adams: Original 1847 Pioneer, Night Guard, and Lumberman of the Tabernacle (1812–1869)

Barnabas L. Adams was born August 28, 1812, near Perth, Upper Canada, of Vermont parentage and was converted to the Church at age twenty-three. He came to Missouri with the 'Canada Camp' under Elder John E. Page. In 1846 he married Julia Ann Bawker. Elected to the original 1847 pioneer company, he served as a night guard over the animals; his earlier experience floating logs down the Mississippi from Iowa to St. Louis made him invaluable at the river fordings. After crossing the plains with Brigham Young's company, he immediately returned to Winter Quarters for his family, bringing them into the Salt Lake Valley in 1848 and settling at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Adams furnished lumber for the Salt Lake Tabernacle, the Salt Lake Theater, and other public buildings. In 1869 he injured himself internally while lifting the bed of a wagon and died on June 2, 1869, at age fifty-six, leaving a large family.